Chapter 464 A Repeat Performance, The Truth Unveiled
This time, Jackson didn't engage in small talk with Patricia like before. Instead, he simply asked her to lie down on the treatment chair and close her eyes. He busied himself around the office, tinkering here and there. The 'click-clack' of the Newton's cradle, accompanied by his rhythmic footsteps, filled her ears. Somehow, the combination of these sounds had a particularly soothing effect.
Patricia listened quietly, and whether it was the aroma of incense or just the sense of safety in the surroundings, she gradually fell into a deep, restful slumber.
Before long, Patricia found herself once more in the lengthy corridor on the second floor of the east wing of Silver Birch Sanctuary. The familiar scene unfolded before her eyes: she saw herself standing outside the study door with a knife, knocking. The door opened, and she entered with the knife in hand.
Driven by instinct, Patricia felt compelled to follow. This time, however, the experience was different. The invisible barrier that had previously hindered her progress was gone, allowing her to move forward with ease. Yet, upon reaching the study, she found the door closed.
In the past, such an obstacle might have left her at a loss, but now she proceeded without hesitation, walking straight through the closed door into the study. Inside, the reality of the scene hit her with startling clarity. Shane lay on the couch, bleeding profusely from a stab wound, while a tall, thin man in a black suit, hat, and mask stood over him, snapping his fingers at Patricia.
Compelled as if under a spell, Patricia approached Shane, pulled the knife from his chest, causing his body to jerk before settling back lifelessly. Blood soaked the couch, turning it a deep shade of red.
"No... Grandpa, are you okay? Grandpa..." Patricia said, sharply affected by the scene before her.
Overwhelmed by the scene, Patricia wanted to rush to Shane's side, but her attempts to touch him were futile; her hand passed right through him as if he were a mere apparition.
Patricia's voice, hoarse with desperate urgency, cried out to the soulless doll, "Snap out of it! Call 911, call an ambulance... Patricia..."
But it was to no avail. The other her just stared blankly, her eyes devoid of awareness.
The man leaned in, whispered something to Patricia, and she nodded slowly in response. With a self-satisfied smirk, he adjusted his hat and, taking the knife Patricia had brought with her, jumped out the window, leaving her alone in the room with the bloodied murder weapon.
Moments after the hypnotist's departure, the door swung open, and Grace entered, as if on cue. "Oh my God... Murder, Patricia's killed someone..."
Contrary to Grace's claims, Patricia, previously immobile, suddenly moved to attack her with the knife. In a fateful twist, she tripped, hit her head on the table, and collapsed.
The events unfolded before Patricia like a film, revealing a truth far more shocking than she had imagined. She now understood the fragmented memories that had eluded her grasp.
But how could she have been hypnotized when she was sure she'd never met this man?
Patricia wrestled with her questions when suddenly, her surroundings transformed. She found herself in the Koch family garden, searching for Grandpa's missing birthday present, which a servant had mentioned was last seen in the garden. As she searched, she unexpectedly encountered Grace. Wishing to avoid any confrontation and intent on leaving once she found the gift, Patricia was taken aback when Grace obstructed her path.
"Why are you here?" Grace asked, perplexed.
"It's Grandpa's birthday, why shouldn't I be?" Patricia countered.
Grace glared at Patricia, her expression somewhat twisted with anger. "Why did you even bother showing up, Patricia? You could have stayed away; you just could have..." She faltered, as if harboring some unspeakable secret.
A suspicion stirred in Patricia's heart. "What are you playing at, Grace? What's this all about?"
Gradually, Grace's face contorted into a snarl.
"Just because Grandpa and my brothers dote on you doesn't mean you can replace me. There's only one of me, and without my consent, no one can take my spot."
Patricia couldn't help but laugh at Grace's outburst. "I never once thought about taking your place. There's no need for you to be constantly on my case. You are Shane's granddaughter, and that blood bond is thicker than water. No matter what happens, that will never change."
It seemed that Patricia's words had struck a nerve with Grace. Her facial muscles twitched as she sneered, saying, "You wish you could replace me, but do you even have what it takes?"
Patricia had no interest in arguing further. She tried to push past the barrier Grace presented, attempting to leave. However, Grace wasn't about to let her go and swiftly grabbed her wrist.
Fuming, Patricia glared back at Grace, ready to explode, but when her eyes met Grace's, she froze. Her anger fizzled out and her gaze went blank.
With a smug smile, Grace softly called out, "Patricia?"
Patricia nodded obediently, as if under a spell, and obediently replied, "I'm here."
Grace arched an eyebrow and commanded, "Slap yourself. Twice."
Ever so compliant, Patricia raised her hand and slapped herself hard on each cheek.
"Hand me that gift you're holding," Grace instructed next.
Without hesitation, Patricia handed over the gift.
Pleased with herself, Grace muttered under her breath, "All that practice wasn't for nothing. It paid off."
Then she leaned in and whispered into Patricia's ear, "Avoid the guests on the first floor and quietly head up to the second floor. There's a knife hidden under the carpet right outside Grandpa's study. Pick it up and knock on the door."
Patricia nodded again and obediently made her way up to the second floor, moving through the crowd to the study door. Because the guests downstairs were numerous and busy mingling and networking, no one took notice of her movements. She stealthily made her way to the second floor, zeroing in on Shane's study.
She crouched down and peeled back the corner of a crimson rug, revealing a brand-new knife, gleaming under the subtle cast of the room's light. Then, she reached out and picked up the knife.
What happened next was precisely what Patricia had first stumbled upon. The pieces of the puzzle had finally fallen into place, revealing the truth in its stark entirety.
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